Three Golden Globe nominations for the historical dramaseries The White Queen

12/12/2013

The White Queen, a BBC/Starz series coproduced with and almost entirely shot in Flanders found itself nominated for three Golden Globes. The miniseries was nominated in the categories Best Miniseries or TV Movie, Best Actress (Rebecca Ferguson) and Best Supporting Actress (Janet Mc Teer). The series was the first project to receive support from the Screen Flanders economic fund.

The 71st edition of the Golden Globes will be held on 12 January 2014. Recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign the Golden Globes are awarded by the members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). In 2012, The Brussels Philharmonic en Brussels Jazz Orchestra scooped a Golden Globe for their contribution to the soundtrack of The Artist.

Based on Philippa Gregory’s bestselling novel series ‘The Cousin’s War’ and adapted for TV by Emma Frost, The White Queen is set in 1464, during the height of the War of the Roses. Directed by James Kent, Jamie Payne and Collin Teague and starring a.o. Max Irons (Red Riding Hood), James Frain (The Tudors), Rebbeca Ferguson and Janet McTeer (Parade’s End), The White Queen tells the thrilling story of three women caught up in the ongoing conflict for the throne.

The shoot of the series took 125 days of which 120 were shot in studio or on location in Flanders. Amazed by the authenticity of its medieval architecture, the production decided to base their production centre in the city of Bruges. Flemish talent and crew also joined the production, with actress Veerle Baetens (The Broken Circle Breakdown) starring in the role of Margaret of Anjou and Lize Feryn (In Flanders Fields), Joren Seldeslachts (Little Black Spiders) and Ben Van den Heuvel (Crazy About Ya) taking on smaller parts. Over 120 local professionals and companies were involved in the production with key functions for Kurt Loyens (art director), Jimmy Van Meel (standby art director), Wim De Waegenaere (location manager), Jan Deca (sound recordist), Raissa Hans (costume supervisor), Wim Temmerman (gaffer), Kurt Reybrouck and Bo Molderez (key grip) and Koen Fransen (production manager).

The White Queen is a co-production of the UK based Company Pictures and Belgian production company CZAR TV. Also the Flemish public broadcaster VRT supported the series. The BNP Paribas Fortis Film Fund provided the financing share through the Belgian Tax Shelter system. The series was granted support by the Media Fund of the Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF) and by Screen Flanders. Rights in the US together with most international territories have been secured by Starz in a deal brokered by All 3 Media International.